Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 27: In an unprecedented crackdown following an extremely high number of safety issues involving the airline, the aviation regulator today ordered low-cost carrier SpiceJet to operate only 50% of its flights for eight weeks.
“In view of findings of various spot checks, inspections and the reply to the show cause notice submitted by SpiceJet, for the continued sustenance of safe and reliable air transport service, the number of departures of SpiceJet is restricted to 50% of the number of departures approved… for a period of eight weeks,” said DGCA in an order.
The airline would be under ‘increased observation’ by the DGCA for these eight weeks.
This could be the harshest punishment a recent airline has received. After eight documented flight safety problems in the span of 18 days, the authorities issued a warning to SpiceJet.
In one instance, a plane departing from Kandla in Gujarat made a priority landing in Mumbai after experiencing a fracture in its windshield mid-flight. Separate incidents included the cabin filling with smoke, the engine catching fire, an indicator light malfunctioning, and being hit by a bird.
